Product ID: CACDE
Control Number: 7498012
Calling All Cars 304 Episodes
Calling All Cars is one of the earliest and most influential police procedural radio programs, setting the stage for the crime and law enforcement dramas that would follow in its wake. Premiering in 1933, the series offered listeners thrilling dramatizations of real-life cases handled by the Los Angeles Police Department, combining gritty storytelling with a documentary-style approach that made it a standout of early radio.
With its urgent opening call — “Calling All Cars, Calling All Cars…” — and its focus on realism, Calling All Cars brought the excitement and tension of police work into homes across America.
The Stars
The show was narrated and often introduced by real-life LAPD Captain William B. "Bill" Sewell, whose no-nonsense delivery added an air of authenticity. Sewell provided brief comments about the cases and the importance of law enforcement, lending credibility and seriousness to the broadcast.
Each episode featured a rotating cast of West Coast radio actors, including names like Gale Gordon, Jeff Chandler, and Jack Webb (who would later become famous for Dragnet), portraying the officers, suspects, and civilians involved in the dramatized cases.
Key Dates
• Calling All Cars debuted on November 29, 1933, on the CBS West Coast network.
• The series ran until September 8, 1939, completing six seasons and more than 300 episodes.
• Sponsored primarily by Rio Grande Oil Company, the show was often promoted heavily through branded merchandise like crime maps and badges aimed at young listeners.
Other Information
Created by William N. Robson and produced in cooperation with the LAPD, Calling All Cars presented dramatizations of actual police cases, often changing names and minor details but maintaining a strong focus on procedure and realism. Episodes typically followed the sequence of a crime's commission, the investigation, the capture of the suspect, and the resulting trial or sentencing.
The show's format, emphasizing methodical police work over action-packed shootouts, helped pioneer the style that would later define radio (and later television) crime dramas. Its matter-of-fact tone, emphasis on teamwork, and reliance on forensic science and detective work made it a forerunner to later classics like Dragnet.
Calling All Cars also stood out for its strong partnership with law enforcement, portraying police officers as diligent, fair-minded public servants at a time when crime was a major concern in Depression-era America.
Today, Calling All Cars remains an important piece of radio history — a groundbreaking series that helped establish the police procedural as a staple genre in American entertainment, blending real-world law enforcement with the storytelling power of radio drama.
This collection comes preloaded on a USB stick, allowing you to easily transfer all episodes to the device of your choice. Enjoy seamless playback a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience.
Suggested Retail Price: $27.49
Mice Price: $21.19
Length: 27.5
Width: 304
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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